In college, I remember telling some professors that I wouldn’t be in class for Shemini Atzeret. “Shemini a-WHAT?” It always felt easier to describe some of our other festivals and what they mean for our tradition. This one was a little bit harder.
The rabbis felt that, too, and they wrote a beautiful midrash describing the holiness of Shemini Atzeret and its connection to Sukkot. The midrash describes a king who holds a seven day celebration. On the eighth day, when all of the celebrants thought the festival was over, the king is reluctant to see them go. It is because the king loves their company, and the king loves the way that his constituents treat him and honor him at this festival. The king begs them to stay for one more day, to remain with him for extended celebrations. He says to them, “kashe alay preidatchem - your departure is difficult for me.” The midrash likens this to Shemini Atzeret and our relationship with God.
For seven days, we had beautiful Sukkot celebrations. And we arrive at Shemini Atzeret, beginning Sunday evening, at what was supposed to be the end of a seven day festival. But God says “don’t leave - stick around for just a bit longer.” This extra time, this extra holy day, is a gift. Of course, in the Diaspora, we celebrate two days, separating Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah. These are opportunities to spend a little bit more time in a celebratory mode, a little more holy time.
I hope you’ll join us for the next few days of celebration. Sunday morning for Hoshanah Rabbah, we’ll daven together at 8AM. On Monday morning, Shemini Atzeret davening (with Yizkor) will begin at 9AM. We’ll begin our Simchat Torah celebrations on Monday evening with a special gathering for families with kids 6 and under at 5:30, followed by a dinner for the entire community and our full Simchat Torah celebration with hakafot, singing, and dancing, at 7PM. The celebrations continue on Tuesday morning with Simchat Torah davening, with hakafot, at 9AM.
As we enter this final mode of chaggim, I’m looking forward to staying in this holy mode with you for just a bit longer.
